Poland: seven dead from legionellosis, 76 people infected

Potentially deadly epidemic. Legionellosis has already claimed seven lives in Rzeszow in southeastern Poland. More than 70 people are still infected. According to Krzysztof Szachka, head of the Polish Health Inspectorate, there are “four men and three women” among them.

Also according to Krzysztof Sachka, the victims were between 63 and 95 years old, they suffered from chronic diseases, in particular cancer and heart disease, so their immune system was seriously weakened.

Source of contamination unknown

At the moment, authorities are still looking for the source of the pollution. The first results of analyzes of water samples will be known only next Monday. Meanwhile, authorities in Rzeszow, a city of around 200,000, have carried out additional disinfection work.

Legionellosis, or Legionnaires’ disease, is a serious lung infection caused by bacteria. Infection can occur through the respiratory tract when bacteria are inhaled, through water or air conditioning. The disease is not transmitted between people.

The infection, which lasts two to ten days incubation, takes its name from the first known epidemic that occurred in 1976 in a Philadelphia hotel in the United States, where a conference of the American Legion, the premier veterans’ association, was held. a country. More than 220 participants fell ill, 34 died.